June 21 The function of man is to live, not to exist. – Jack London We’ve been thinking a lot about Jack London here in the Yukon. We re-read his book, Call of the Wild, and will visit his house in Dawson City. Summer solstice is a big deal up here. It marks 24 hours [...]

June 22 Perception is not reality. That ice cliff on the horizon isn’t really there. One of my last duties before leaving for this summer sabbatical was to speak at our Honors Convocation as part of commencement weekend. The title I chose for my talk was Ensuring Perception is Not Reality. I reminded our graduates [...]

June 11 As one who has often felt this need, and who has found refreshment in wild places, I attest to the recreational value of wilderness. – George D Aiken, U.S. Senator and Founder of Eastern Wilderness

June 9 My daddy used to tell me not to chew on something that’s eating you. – Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses As a college president, I often worry. I worry about the welfare of the college. I worry about our employees and our students. I sometimes think that I am paid to worry [...]

June 4 Adventure is worthwhile — Aristotle The coast off in Gros Morne National Park in Canada. My wife Jane and I love to hike. One of the goals of the sabbatical is to hike 200 miles, about the distance from the Quad Cities to St. Louis, as the crow flies. The great thing about [...]